Support for vertical files



Aug. 20, 1929.

w. 1. CUBBERLEY SUPPORT FOR VERTICAL FILES Filed y 2 192.9 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Aug. 20, 1929. w. I. CUBBERLEY SUPPORT FOR VERTICAL FILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1929 INVENTOR FUEL-s- Aug. 20, 1929. w CUBBERLEY 1,725,702

SUPPORT FOR VERTICAL FILES Filed y 2 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES WARNER I. CUBIBERLEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SUPPORT FOR VERTICAL FILES.

Application filed May 20, 1929.

My present invention has reference, in its broad aspect, to improvements in means for supporting letter folders, files or envelopes, or other folders, files, envelopes or the like, such as case files, loose-leaf files, card files, maps, drawings, paper sheets and the like, in a vertical, or substantially vertical position in what is ordinarily termed a file cabinet, box or the like, especially those types of file cabinets having drawers provided with a follower and designed to receive the files and classify them alphabetically or otherwise by spacing sheets or the like. It is also my purpose to provide a device of this general character which may be detached or removed from a file cabinet and used as a temporary desk file rack or support. All oflice workers are well aware of the fact that files,- folders and the like have a marked tendency to slip or bend or slumpdown in a file cabinet. This is largely due to the fact that the part of the file or folder contacting with the bottom of the file drawer of the cabinet tends to slip, and the body of the file or folder to bend when it has a slightly angular relationship, so that in time the folders or files, or drawings, or whatever may be filed, assume a curved shape and slump down in the file drawer. Various means have been proposed to remedy this condition, suchas stiff paper or paper-board alphabetical partitioning devices, stiff cardboard fillers, relatively stiff folders, expansible envelopes having a tendency to be supported in an upright position by their relatively broad bottom edge, followers, and the like. All of these have been found more or less unsatisfactory from a commercial and practical standpoint either because of cost, complexity or the slight sup port which they give to the folder or file. It is essential, I have found to accomplish two ends in order to support a file or folder in a vertical or substantially vertical position; first, it must be prevented from slipping at its bottom edge, and second the side faces must be supported in a vertical position by some means closely adjacent thereto which will not flex, bend or give. Such a device must also be capable of removal, quick change of position in a file drawer, must not damage the files, increase the weight of the cabinet appreciably, and it must be inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and capable of being sold at a relatively small cost. Ordinary sheet metal book ends of the type bent at right-angles in the mid- Serial No. 364,524.

dle will not serve the present purpose for the reason that no positive engagement or lock is effected with the folder, file, drawing, sheet to be supported on edge, or the like, so that the folder, file, drawing or the like still has the tendency and the capacity to slip, bend in the middle and slump down.

My present invention consists in its more specific aspect in bending a strip of sheet metal at right angles somewhere near its middle portion, or at least at any portion where a relatively vertical portion, and a relatively horizontal portion will be had, and providing the horizontal portion with suitable means such as corrugations, ribs, indentations, UP-StlllCk portions, or the like between which the bottom edges of files, folders, drawings or the like are received and engage to positively hold the same in place; the tertical portion functioning to support the file, folder, drawing, card (in an index) or the like in a substantially Vertical position. My device, furthermore, is so formed that the horizontal portions of adjacent supports interlock-that is the corrugations, ribs, etc. of one support interengage with those of another next adjacent so that when desired, all of the supports will be interlocked together in a file drawer to function as a unit. My device isalso designed to be utilized to support files, folders, andthe like on a desk or the like, it being merely necessary to place the vertical portions of two supports at the ends with the ends of the horizontal portions overlapping and interengaging to be held in place by the weight of the files and support the same in substantially a vertical position after the manner of a rack. My device is adaptable also to be arsed as a temporary card index or card container, or temporary folder or file container, and it is capable of being artistically and pleasingly decorated. Ordinarily some types of file cabinet drawers are provided with looking rods; that is, a rod will extend through the bottom of the drawer longitudinally upon which the alphabetical spacers are threaded by means of tabs. My device may be so formed that it may be used with this type of file cabinet drawer, and may be either threaded on the rod or not, depending upon the wishes of the party using the file cabinet. My support may be so formed that it will present a smooth portion in contact with the base to which it is applied, as a file drawer or Ill table, so that the corrugations, ribs or the like will not come into contact therewith, and to this end I sometimes form my device with smooth portions along the sides, or elsewhere, such as along the middle of the corrugated or rubbed portion or at intervals longitudinally thereof. My support may be so struck from a strip of sheet metal that it has horizontal portions both front and back, in which case the corrugated back portion or extension or lip will be -inter-' locked between the front corrugated portions of the next adjacent support by the edges of the files or folders. The type of corrugations, ribs or the like is in all cases subject to choice depending on conditions and therefore in the appended drawings I have shown a number of forms.

Other and equally important advantages and objects of my invention may be briefly defined as follows; first, my device is formed of a single strip of sheet metal and may be bent and formed in a simple operation of a machine and may be sold at relatively small cost; second, it is readily removable and capable of being repositioned in a file drawer with little trouble; third, when packaged for shipment they can be nested one on top of the other to form a small compact package; fourth, they may be used interlocked as a unit, or separated apart, in the latter case the weight of the files, folders or the like will hold them in place, and they may be changed about in a file drawer, that is, spaced nearer together or further apart to compensate for additions or removal of files therefrom; fifth, they are interchangeable for use either as a file cabinet drawer accessory, as a desk accessory such as a rack, as a temporary rack for cards, folders or files, or the like; sixth, they may he supplied in units or sold singly, are capable of various changes (minor) in shape and size, can be artistically decorated, and colored, and; seventh, they are capable of use with all types of wooden, metal, or other forms of modern file cabinets, drawers, and the like without in any way modifying the construction of the file cabinet, drawer or the like. However, additional objects and advantages will be apparent as the detailed description of the drawings proceeds.

In the drawings forming a part of this application Figure 1 is a perspective view my support,

Figure 2is a view of a file cabinet drawer and contents with my supports applied thereto, v

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modification of my support constructed to operate in that type of file cabinet drawer having a longitudinal rod extending its length,

Figure 4 are details of various forms of corrugations or ribs, same being indicated at ABCD,

Figure 5 is a view of another modification of my device formed with smooth portions to prevent contact of the corrugations or ribs with a. base such as a drawer or desk top,

Figure 6 is a view of a pair of my devices interlocked at their bases or horizontal portions to form a temporary rack for cards,

files or folders,

Figure 7 is a View of a further modification of my device formed to be used with a file cabinet drawer having a center rod, and also formed to have a rear supporting flange.

Figure 8, view A shows a transverse section of a drawer with my supports spaced apart, and view -B shows substantially the position assumed by files and folders in a type of drawer not provided with my supports; i. e. it shows the files slumped down.

Figure. 9 is a blank from which the type of my support shown in Figure l is made,

Figure 10 is a view of my device when modified to be threaded on the rod in that type of drawer having a center longitudinal rod,

Figure 11 is a view of types of corrugations, ribs or the like, when same do not extend completely across the horizontal portions; these types, designated ABC D are especially adapted for the form of my device shown in Figure 12,

Figure 12 shows my device modified to have upstruck portions and designed to be used as a temporary rack or tray or the like for cards, drawings, files or folders, and

Figure 13 is a view of another modified form of my support having a rear corrugated portion as well as a front corrugated portion.

In the drawings wherein like or similar c characters of reference are used to designate like or similar parts The numeral (1) designates the vertical portion of my support, and (2) the horizontal portion. The support is formed by bending a strip of sheet metal cross-wise to provide two portions extending substantially at right-angles to each other. The horizon-tal portion is corrugated, ribbed or the like transversely as at In practice the vertical portion of the support serves to maintain a file, folder, drawing or the like in a vertical position, but to do so it is necessary that the horizontal portion be corrugated as at (3) to positively prevent the bottom edge of the same from slipping.

The file drawer, which is of a conventlonal type is designated by (4) and it has a front (5), bottom (6), side (7), and back (8) and a follower (9) the files, folders or the like are designated by (10), and as shown in Figure 2 my devices are placed in the drawer with the horizontal portions extending in the same direction (which may be either forward or backward) and overlapping as at (11) with the corrugations interengaging to form a substantially interrelated unit. However, it is notnecessary to the operativeness of my support that the several supports be overlapped and interlocked as in Figure 2, since they may be spaced apart, if desired, as in Figure 8, view A, in which position the weight of the files will hold them in place and they serve equally as well. It is not possible for files to slump down or bend as shown in view B of Figure 8 for the reason that for every given number (say six or eight or more) of files one of my supports is provided, and the corrugated base prevents the files or folders from slipping or slumping down while the vertical portions form stitl' guides to hold them in vertical position. My supports are not visible upon glancing into a file drawer since they do not (preferably) extend to the tops of the folders or the like.

\Yhen it is desired to use a pair of my supports for a temporary rack or the like, they are placed with the horizontal portions (2) extending toward each other and overlapping to interlock, in which position they are held by the weight of the files, folders, cards, drawings or the like as shown in Figure 6.

Certain types of file cabinet drawers are provided with center longitudinal rods (11) on which files, cards or alphabetical spacers (12) may be threaded by means of tabs (13) having openings (11). \Vhen used with this type of file drawer, or the like, the horizontal portion (2) of my support is provided with a center slot (15) extending lengthwise thereof which extends about and sometimes past the tab portion (13) and beneath the spacer or folder or the like as shown in Figure 3. On the other hand if it is desired also to thread my supports on a rod (11) the center slot- (15) may be formed by striking out a portion of the inetal to form a lip or tab (16) which extends downwardly in the plane of the vertical portion and is provided with an opening (1'7), as shown in Figure 10. v

If it is desired to also provide a rear sup-. porting flange, the vertical portion may be struck up from the center part of the horizontal ribbed port-ion as shown in Figure 7, in which case a right-angular flange or extension is formed in the back of the vertical portion, designated here at (18). \Vhere it is desired to provide a rear extension with corrugations to be interlocked between a pair of front corrugated portions by an edge of a folder or the like placed therebetwee'n; the center portion of the horizontal ribbed portion is struck out and bentback as shown at (19) in Figure 13. Such a modified form is especially desirable where it is desired to interlock the supports when used with tabbed spacers or files with a rod (11*) as shown ,in Figure 3, in which case the part (19) shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 is positioned between the ends extending past the spacer.

When used as a temporary desk rack, my supports may be provided with suitable designs or decorations (20) see Figure (3 which enhances the appearance thereof, and are preferably placed on the outside vertical por tions as shown. I

In Figure 1:? is shown a modified form which is especially desirable for use as a temporary rack or stand for cards, drawings,- folders, files or the like, and in which the forward edge is provided with a vertical lip or flange (21), while instead of corrugations or ribs a plurality of upstruck portions (:22) may be used to supportthe cards. files or the like in substantially vertical position without crowdin said portions (22) being designed to engage the bottom edges of cards, files, folders of the like and the same leaned back against the vertical portion (1); sliding prevented, no overcrowding necessitated to hold the files, folders or the like in vertical position, and the files or-foldersor cards or drawings may be inclined back against. the part (1) at a very slight angle from the vertical by simply footing them against portions (22) nearer the vertical portion. In Figure 11 are shown in views ABCD various upstruck portions such as defined with reference to Figure 12; and in which, view A is of the type shown in Figure 12.

Since it is oftentimes desirable to present a fiat surface to the base, such as the bottom of a file cabinet drawer, or table, or the like, I form my supports with fiat portions (223), on occasion, which may be about the margin thereof as shown in Figure 5, or which may be at spaced intervals across the horizontal portion and extending lengthwise thereof.

Manifestly, irrespective of the types ofcorrugations or ribs-used, or whether the supports have flat portions or not, they may be nested together for packing to provide a relatively compact package for shipment.

In practice I form my supports of suitably stiff sheet metal, and when completed they may be painted an attractive color or not depending on the characteristics of the trade: they may also be'decorated. Their size depends on the size of the file. folder. card or drawer with reference to which they are used, and they may be manufactured and sold at relatively small cost. It is believed that. the operation and manner of using my devices or supports is obvious from the foregoing description.

'hile there has been illustrated in the drawings and described in the foregoing specification a special embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the combination and arrangement of parts may be changed, and that interpretation of the invention should only be conclusive when made in the light of thesubjoined claims.

I claim 1. A support for vertical files comprising a body bent to provide a substantially vertical portion, and a horizontal portion, and a series of upwardly extending ribs formed on the horizontal portion extending from one end to the other thereof for positively engaging the bottom edges of files' to prevent the same from slipping.

2. A support foigvertical files comprising a plurality of members, each bent to pro- "vide a substantially vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the vertical portions to engage one side of a group of vertical files, and the horizontal portions having means formed therein to positively engage the bottom edges of files to prevent slipping, certain of said means of the several members interengaging so that said members function as a unit. A

3. A-support for vertical files comprising a plurality of members each having a substantially vertical portion and a substantial- -ly horizontal portion, the horizontal portions partially overlapping, and meanson the horizontal portions arranged in a series extending from end to end thereof for pre venting files from slipping, certain of said means being adapted to interengage so that said members function as a unit.

- and certain of. the corrugations of each of said horizontal portions inter-engaging and held together by the weight of the files resting thereon.

6. The combination with the drawer of a file cabinet of the type having a center rod and spacers threaded thereon, of supports gaging the rod, and the horizontal portions being corrugated or ribbed.

8. An office accessory comprising a sheet metal member adapted to be placed in the drawer of a vertical file cabinet, and com,

prising a plane substantially vertical portionfor sustaining filesin a vertical position, and a substantially horizontal portion forming a supporting foot for the same beneath tlie files, said horizontal portion being provided with upward protrusions for positive engagement with the bottom edges of the files to prevent slipping of the files.

' 9. A device ofthe character described comprising a plurality of similarly formed supports each having'portions which interengage when they are placed one upon the other to form a file-supporting unit for a file cabinet, and each of said supports being freely separable and having means for sustaining the files in substantially vertical positioni 10. A follower system for maintaining files in a vertical positioncomprising a plurality of similarly formed substantially L- shaped members adapted to be placed in the receptacle holding the files to freely slide upon the bottom thereof, the horizontal portions of the members being formed with raised portions, which when the members are moved together are adapted to inferengage, the horizontal portions engaging beneath the bottom edges of the files and said raised portions being of such form that said members may be moved together upon the application of slight pressure to pack and support the files between the vertical portions, said vertical portions functioning as supports for the files.

In testimony whereof,'I afiix my signature hereunto.

WARNER I. CUBBERLEY. 

